_13_
Lothanna stood in his room, hands clenched at his sides, the door slamming behind him echoing through the hall. A few moments later, the door swung open once more, and Rafael appeared, his expression a mixture of confusion and irritation.
"What's got you so riled up?" He asked, eyes narrowed. "— and why were you talking to Kiel of all people? I thought you've asked him to leave, he isn't leaving?" It was a daft question on Rafael's side — Kiel wouldn't just leave because Lothanna asked him to.
Lothanna scoffed, turning away from his friend. "It's none of your concern, Rafael." He told him with a straight face.
"Oh, but it is my concern when you start acting like a loon." Rafael retorted, crossing his arms over his chest. "And I saw the look on Kiel's face. He was up to something, and it seems like you're involved."
Lothanna turned back to face Rafael, his eyes blazing — he is in no mood to entertain any talk from Rafael. "You will do as I say and keep an eye on Kiel without drawing attention." He snapped sharply. "Do not question me again!"
Rafael's jaw tightened, but he nodded curtly. "Fine. I'll do as you ask." He said, his voice stiff. "But if Kiel's plotting something that involves you, I won't just stand by and do nothing."
"What can you do? Do you have a chance against a vampire?" Lothanna had wanted to ask him but glared at him instead for a moment, then turned and walked deeper into the room, closing the door behind him with a thud.
Rafael sighed and leaned against the wall, pondering what could have caused Lothanna's sudden outburst — but he could only know little if Lothanna decides to share with him.
***
Kiel stood in the darkness, his back pressed against the door, as if to barricade himself from the thoughts swirling through his mind. The air in the room was thick with the stench of his own frustration.
"Why am I losing control?" he muttered under his breath, the words barely audible. "A mere human... my mate is a human!"
He dropped his head into his hands, the weight of the situation pressing down on him like a suffocating cloak. This atrocity shouldn't be happening to him of all people — is fate trying to mock him? Did the universe want to punish him? Or is the universe trying to make him face the same fate as his sister's?
"What is happening to me?" He asked the empty room, his voice rising in intensity. "Why am I feeling this way?"
Kiel let out a low, growling roar, the sound reverberating through the room. "I refuse to accept this!" He snarled, his fangs lengthening in anger. "I have never wanted a mate, and now this? A human? It's an insult. A mockery of everything I stand for!"
He felt himself losing control, the rage and confusion building to a fever pitch. He threw himself against the wall, letting his supernatural strength flow into his fists, the impact shaking the room. "No...!" He bellowed, his voice raw.
Kiel's outburst was interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps approaching his door. He immediately tensed, pulling himself back from the edge of the abyss.
"My lord?" A loud and firm voice called out from the other side of the door. "Are you alright? We heard a commotion."
Kiel grit his teeth, bringing himself under control with an effort of will. "Leave me..." He commanded, his voice low and gravelly. "I am not to be disturbed."
Kiel stood there in the darkness, his breath still coming in ragged gasps as he listened to the sound of the retreating footsteps.
He cursed under his breath. He was supposed to be in control. He was supposed to be above petty emotions and desires. Yet here he was, losing himself in a rage over a human. A human who, if Lothanna was to be believed he's married to and wanting to keep her by his side for as long as he could.
He let out a low, frustrated growl. Lothanna was right. He was acting like a fool, and he could not afford to make a mistake.
_THE NEXT MORNING_
The sun's rays filtered through the curtains, casting a weak light across the room. Kiel stirred in his sleep, his consciousness slowly emerging from the depths of sleep.
For a moment, he was disoriented, unsure of where he was. Then, memories of the previous night's encounter with Lothanna flooded his mind, and he sat up, feeling the weight of responsibility press down on him once more.
He had to maintain control. He had to figure out what was happening with the human female. And, above all, he had to keep Lothanna and his coven safe.
Kiel rose from the bed, his movements quick and fluid. Despite the turmoil of the previous night, he was determined to maintain his morning routine.
He slipped into a pair of black sweatpants and a loose white tank top, then made his way to the door. He paused, his hand hovering over the knob, listening carefully for any sounds from beyond. Hearing nothing, he opened the door and slipped out into the hallway.
Kiel made his way to the castle's training grounds, where he had trained many of Lothanna's soldiers.
Kiel walked through the courtyard, his eyes scanning his surroundings for potential threats. He found none, so he continued towards the training grounds.
As he reached the open area, he paused, taking a deep breath of the crisp morning air. He closed his eyes, centering himself.
Then, he began to move. His movements were swift and precise, a deadly dance of swordsmanship and martial arts. He attacked invisible opponents, his blade a blur of steel. With each strike, each defensive move, he felt his focus sharpen, the turmoil inside him fading away.
Kiel continued his training, his body moving in a rhythm of muscle and steel. He moved from the sword to hand-to-hand combat, his fists striking the air with deadly accuracy.
He lost himself in the training, letting the rhythm of the moves wash over him, soothing his troubled mind — and temporarily melting his turmoil away.
After some time, he came to a stop, breathing hard but feeling more at peace than he had since his arrival at Lothanna's castle. He wiped the sweat from his brow, then stretched, his muscles protesting slightly. As he lowered his arms, he heard a noise behind him.
The sound drew Kiel's attention away from his training, and he turned to see a figure standing in the shadows. He took a step towards her, his muscles tensing as his thirst surged again — this time more dangerously and out of control.
As the figure stepped into the light, he saw that it was the human female, Cara.